Why I Make Books in Series: My Handmade Bookbinding Process

When I first began bookbinding, I made one book at a time—start to finish. But it didn’t take long before I realized the benefits of working in multiples. From a materials standpoint, cutting and prepping paper in batches just makes sense. And from a creative and practical perspective, repeating the same construction method across several books builds momentum, rhythm, and efficiency.

Coming from a background in fiber art, working in series has always felt natural to me. There's something deeply satisfying about exploring an idea across several pieces—watching it evolve, noticing the shifts, and letting one piece inform the next. So when I shifted into bookmaking, creating several books at once wasn’t a new concept—it was a familiar part of my creative language.

Stillmark

Echoes In Ink

The Arcana Series

Komorebi Series

Petal and Polygon Series

The Landmarks Series

Where the Creativity Comes In

Designing the covers is where I let loose creatively. Each series has its own personality—tied together by color palette, material choice, or a design motif that threads through the collection. I often vary the inside paper color between books, but I use a consistent size and grain direction, which allows me to cut in bulk and streamline the process.

I typically make 5 to 6 books at once using the same binding method. I move through each stage—folding, gluing, stitching, trimming—across all the books in a rhythm that feels almost meditative. It’s a quiet kind of joy, watching a stack of covers or signatures evolve into finished books, one step at a time.

Sticky Situations: My Glue Learning Curve

One of the biggest learning curves for me in bookbinding? Glue. Specifically, PVA. It has a way of showing up where it’s not invited—on the cover, under my fingernails, and somehow always on my favorite shirt. Early on, I could ruin a perfectly good book with a single glue mishap. I once sneezed mid-glue and let’s just say... that book became a “personal journal.”

Over time, I’ve learned some tried-and-true techniques and found tools that really work for me. Glue brushes (my current fav), silicone spreaders, non-stick surfaces—waste sheets - these have all become part of my daily workflow. I’ve learned how much glue is just enough, how to manage dry times, and how to keep my workspace (mostly) clean.

It’s all part of the journey. Bookbinding has taught me as much about patience and letting go as it has about materials and technique. Every mistake becomes part of the learning—and every new book gets a little better.

When Things Go Sideways

Of course, not every book in a series makes it through perfectly and destined for my shop. Sometimes things go awry, despite my best efforts. In a recent set of handmade board books, one of the endpapers in a book buckled while drying—pressed under the same weight and in the same conditions as the others. Why did it happen? I honestly don’t know. The opposite endpaper in the same book was fine, which makes it all the more mysterious.

When I was newer to bookbinding, moments like that would really discourage me. I’d feel like I had failed. But over time, I’ve learned to see these little mishaps are part of the process and learning curve and that tomorrow is another day. Every now and then, a book ends up as a “second”—destined to sit beside my computer as a sketchbook or scribble pad. And that’s okay. I’ve made peace with it. The process has taught me patience, acceptance, and how to keep going.

On My Bench Now / New Books in Series

What new book series is up next? At the moment, I’m working on a new series of watercolor journals. The pages are thick and textured, just waiting to absorb brushstrokes and pigment. I’m eager to see how these books turn out—each one a new beginning, tied to the others in theme and form, but with its own path to unfold.

Bookbinding, like any craft, is a journey. I’m still fairly new to it, but I can already see how far I’ve come—and how much there is still to learn. That, too, is part of what keeps me coming back: the growth, the challenge, and the beauty of building something by hand.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Are you a fellow maker who works in series too? I’d love to hear how repetition or multiples play a role in your creative process. Leave a comment or connect with me on Instagram @melaniegrantdesign.

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